17 Days Upper Mustang Trekking Tour Nepal

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1300m/4265ft)

Fly into Kathmandu International Airport and check into an overnight hotel with our team. Meals won’t be available on the house for tonight.

The Kathmandu Valley is a place of nature’s ethereal beauty, UNESCO heritage sites entrenched in cultural history and spiritual significance. Tour around the town today with our team by visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square, Shyambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath Temple. Enjoy our welcome dinner buffet tonight at the hotel and get introduced to fellow travelers in the celebratory mood of the night before the real journey kicks off over the next few days!

Board on a 25 minutes flight starting from Kathmandu International to Pokhara today. We will arrive at the deep and narrow gorge of the Seti River flowing rhythmically across the Pokhara valley. Take in the fresh and cool air of the mountains as we drive by a picturesque road towards Davi’s Falls and further on to gupteshwar Cave and the Bat Cave. The evening will be magical on Pokhara’s iconic glacial Lake Phewa, as we take a leisurely row on its sparkling waters.

We will fly into Jomsom this morning from the Pokhara airstrip and upon arrival, head off immediately towards Kagbeni. This is going to be a warming 4-5 hours uphill hike before we stop to rest at Kagbeni.

Kagbeni marks the border between the Upper and Lower zones of Mustang. From here on, to travel into Mustang further, you would require a special permit. Legend goes, Kagbeni - the ancient capital of Mustang Kingdom was abandoned by the demon. A number of esoteric Buddhist Monasteries line the area. Explore and discover!

Today we will start hiking towards the river banks of Kaligandaki, this is where the actual Upper Mustang trek begins. Follow the marked trail upon a ridge on which a small stone chorten stands. Descend from here, and climb to another adjacent ridge. The ups and downs in the mixed trail continue till we reach Tangbe.

Unique photo opportunities await here that’s defining of Mustang. Black, white, and red chortens scattered in the stark landscape of Tangbe make quite an amazing frame. Beyond here, post another hour’s hard trek, we shall come upon the village of Chhuksang at 2980 m, located on the confluence of Narshing Khola and the Kali Gandaki stream. Scan and focus on the eroded red cliffs standing tall across the blue of the sky, and you can spot the typical caves of this geographic zone, known as the “sky caves”.

In the sky caves of Mustang, archeologists have found partially mummified human bodies and skeletons which are nearly 3000 years old.

Today’s challenge consists of crossing long, steep, treeless, waterless expanses, and spectacularly steep canyons, finally climbing into Chele La. find joy descending into the poplar grove of Samar at 3620 m and cross Bhena Pass and another pass Yamdo La before descending to Shyangmochen for a restful overnight stay.

Great view of mountain backgrounds, rustling poplar groves, fields of rice and barley of the locals, and several high pass crossings are in the offing for today’s adventure. You will get a deep challenging experience crossing Nyi La at 4020m and Ghemi La. We will stay the night at homestay accommodation in the Ghemi village.

Today’s trek highlight is the great steel bridge across Tangmar Chu, view of the blue-grey-red cliffs, and an extensive and spectacular mani wall. We will also cross the Choya La high pass today reaching an elevation of 3870 m.

Upper Mustang in the Manthang area almost shares resemblance with Arizona’s Grand Canyon in the United States. The trail for today climbs through deep red rock canyons lets you descend to the base of the Kali Gandaki River and cross to the other side of the river before tackling another high pass climb to Lola-La Pass at 3950 m. You are welcome to gape at the wondrous Lo-Manthang valley spread beneath the mountains and the dazzling snow cap of the Tilicho peak hovering over you!

We are taking the day off to explore the old capital of the ancient Tibetan civilization at Lo Manthang. The places we visit are: Tingkhar and Phuwa Gompa, the Namgyal Gompa, building s and relics of the Gelug tradition, ruins of the castles of the old royalty on a higher hill, the palace of Ame Pal-- the founding king of Mustang, and interesting ‘sky burial’ sites.

Check out today an ancient trading route which is surprisingly still functional, and crisscrossing herder trails. Spellbinding views from high passes Chogo La at 4325 km is sure to take your breath away. Reaching the Lo Gekar meadows, you will be treated to serene visuals of greenery where a small monastery-- the Ghar Gompa, stands amid a grove of hovering foliage of large trees.

We will descend towards Geling Valley today, crossing an expanse of eroded gullies towered over by red rock walls, the village of Drakmar and several remarkable chortens.

The trail drops further to the Chhungar chorten, mani walls and treehouses of Tama gaon, rocky canyons, and where the trail joins with the way to Geling near the ridge, just below Shyangmochen La.

It’s the previously trodden way from here, crossing Yamdo, Bhena, and Samar to Chele.

From Chele, over a time of 4-5 hours, we will descend to Kagbeni, and from there to Jomsom.

Flying back to Pokhara today from Jomsom, you will have enough time to sleep off the exhaustion and also go around a bit.

Review trip experience, share photos and revel at the farewell buffet on reaching Kathmandu today.

Arrange your travel back home on day 17.

•  All airport/hotel pick up and drop in private car/van
• 3 Nights Accommodation in  Kathmandu including breakfast
• 11 Nights stay in Lodge/Guest House during trek
• An experienced English speaking Trekking Guide and a Porter during trek.( 2 Trekkers:1 Porter)
• Salary, food, insurance and lodging cost for guide and porter
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea/Coffee during trek
• Welcome and Farewell Meals and Breakfasts while in Kathmandu
• National Park Permit, TIMS and Upper Mustang Permit
•  Air fare from Kathmandu to  Pokhara and return flight to Kathmandu and domestic flight departure taxes
•  Down Jacket and Sleeping Bag that needs to be returned to office after trek completion.
• ACH Kitbag and T- shirt for you
• 2 Nights Accommodation in Pokhara, includes Breakfast
• Air fare from Pokhara to  Jomsom and return flight to Pokhara and domestic flight departure taxes

• Nepal entry visa fees
• International airfare and departure tax
• Bar bills, laundry and other expenses of personal nature
• Travel insurance including evacuation
• 1 Lunch in Kathmandu
• Tips for local staff, guides and porters
• Desserts. Mineral Water. Hot Shower, Hot Water and Wi-Fi
• Entrance Fees in Kathmandu and Pokhara

The best time to visit Mustang is between February and November for clear skies and tolerable cold. You are free to attempt trekking in this part of the Himalayas also during monsoon, from June-August as the rain-shadow area of Mustang receives little to no rainfall.